I have always liked going there for a fun day of swimming and just plain enjoying my time there in…read morethe summer. The fact that after all these years it is still standing tells me that the people still enjoy going there and still want it to be preserved.

The signage is not great, especially if you are looking for the waterfall. But once found, it was a…read moregreat hike. There are 3 different trails, from 0.5m to 1m each way. You can go to the summit and get to see the beautiful river or head down to the waterfall. Unfortunately we went after a dry summer, and the waterfall was a very small trickle which was anticlimactic. But the hike was still fun. Warning: some paths are very narrow and can only take one person at a time. If going with kids, be warned. If your kids are prone to not listening and wandering, this is not the right hike. The paths are not paved and the risk of getting hurt if varying off-course are great. Since I mentioned about the signage...here are some tips. If you go to the general parking area, that is for the beach. It is very pretty to walk along and take photos or launch kayaks...but this is not the parking lot for the waterfall. Instead, go to the small parking lot on the other side of the road (do not pass the train tracks). If you go right, there is good signage that explains the 3 trails and markers. If you go left, it's the shortest 0.5m path directly to the waterfall (it's the red/blue path). Enjoy!

Beautiful park and hiking trails, pavilion, and a museum. Great to get the little ones outside and…read moreaway from screens and electronics.

I just love this park!!! The scenery and atmosphere is just absolutely beautiful. I come into the…read morepark for my walks and to sit by lake for a few minutes to clear my mind. Osbornedale State Park has a hiking trail, fishing, picnic areas, and t nearby Osborne Homestead Museum. The prominent Osborne family owned numerous metal working and fabric product factories in the area. At the young age of 31, Frances Osborne, later Mrs. Waldo Kellogg, took over the family business when her father died in 1907. Miss Osborne decided to take over the family business instead of selling it. Additionally, it was contrary to the advice of the executers of her father's estate, and a brave undertaking for a woman in the early part of the century. Despite the prejudices against woman in business at that time, Mrs. Frances Osborne Kellogg was very successful in her many businesses and investments. By adhering to the belief that one should always buy land but never sell it. Mrs. Kellogg gradually acquired numerous separate farms which now comprise the 350 acre Osbornedale State Park, an unusually large property in the Derby-Ansonia area.

One of the best outdoors spots in southbury! I am going to discuss the trails, not the actual…read morebirdwatching building. The property is deceptively large. If you go all the way on the trails, they are actually really long! You could spend hours here if you wanted. The trails start in a meadow, at the same level as the river, and eventually take you to a forested area much higher than the river. I personally love to go wading in the river in the summer. It is nice and cool and refreshing for most of the summer, and the light is just beautiful with all of the trees around. If you wade far enough from the entrance, the water will get much deeper and you can actually swim. I have seen herons and various other cool birds in the water too!

My Uncle John and my Aunt Doris were avid birdwatchers. They are also members of the National…read moreAudubon Society. I was a member for many years and loved to volunteer for local community service projects. I also love to visit sanctuary and park locations to spend time out in nature. This is an absolutely beautiful park in my former home state of Connecticut. It is memorable to visit with family and friends. This time of year the fall colors are beautiful to photograph. If you are in the area make this a stop to escape from the world!

Great little nature preserve nestled in East Haven. Some beautiful views and osprey nests. Yes,…read morethere are houses around but it's pretty sweet for basically being right in town.

This is a nice little park, but pretty small - 61 acres per the DEEP site. The main entrance for…read morethis park is on Short Beach Road in East Haven, where there's a small lot right next to a house - it can be easy to miss. This park is surrounded by houses, so it doesn't really feel all that private. It feels almost like it should be a municipal park or preserve. It seems to be a favorite of locals walking their dogs, which is what we were doing as well. Once you get past the fire road, there's a lot of meandering trail in the marsh area. The views are pretty, and it's a nice little place, but it seems to need some blazing and trail maintenance. There's also a picnic area marked on the map, but it's just a meadow area - no picnic tables.

Big Gulph Recreation Area is owned by the Regional Water Authority. Only those with permits can…read moreaccess its areas. Yearly permits are relatively inexpensive (~$25) and include maps and descriptions of all trails, parking passes and codes, and a quarterly newsletter. The Big Gulph Recreation Area is located behind Northford Park. Basically, you have to park in the park's parking lot, and keep walking back, all the way behind the baseball field and last soccer field. I've always started my route to the right. As you follow the main route, you see the reservoir to your left and (surprise!) people's homes you never knew existed. You'll even spy some yellow signs warning you that bears have been sighted here! Eventually, you will come upon the stream fishing area, and are able to walk around some official looking water facility buildings. At some point, you will reach a divergence in the path. There will be a dead end trail to your left, a narrow higher rocky trail to somewhere around the middle of your POV, and to the right a leisurely gravel path. The leisurely gravel path is actually a looped trail that connects to the narrow high rocky trail! If you start down the gravel path, prepared to be slightly bored for a few miles. It is relatively flat and shady with a few open fields or nature trail spot points. Eventually though, the trail turns around a couple of large piles of gravel up a pretty steep (and rocky) incline. When you reach the top, there are some great scenic views. For the remainder of the downhill path, you will genuinely feel like you are in the middle of the woods, even using makeshift plank bridges to cross areas that flood in the springtime. Most people I have encountered on this trail took advantage of the stream fishing. I don't think I'd go alone though--I'm not sure what I'd do if I ever saw a bear! (Although illegal quad activity still takes place in these woods from neighboring communities, and I'm sure with all the noise, the bears are content to stay away!) *Update* Fall 2011 The "bears have been sighted here" signs were taken away. The 4.5 mile trail I talked about has a lot of downed trees. It's definitely a challenge getting around all of them, but the trail is much more beautiful in the fall. This time I even spotted a deer!

It's a beautiful place to spend with your family. It's a small quiet beach with clear water.read more

Great park. Went here for the first time for my company picnic. We took up the entire pavilion…read morearea. Weather was good, mid 70's. Set-up some volley ball, frisbee can, corn hole, and few people fished along the shore. Looks like they also have a beach and place to launch kayaks. Our picnic was in mid-September, since those activities looked like they were done for the season, we'll have to wait until next year, if we go a bit earlier.

We stopped in this little park for a small bit, and really enjoyed it. There are some really pretty…read moreviews of the Housatonic River from here, and the dam/weir area. It's a little slice right next to the road, but they've packed a few things here. There's a playground, a basketball court, a couple of baseball diamonds, hiking, and a couple of monuments and memorials. A pretty little patch of tranquility in the winter.

Thank you, David Anderson, the Trolley Trail is thanks to…read morehim. Boy Scout Troop 442 lent helping hands to build this trail through the marshlands. A lovely 1.2 mile out and back, revitalized old trolley track. Bird watchers are in for a special treat, kids delight as crabs scuttle by their feet. Parking has always been a breeze and the trail is flat, navigated with ease. Be sure to sit and take in the peace (save the hum of life that doesn't cease.)

Nice easy flat trail. Not much to see but the water views are nice. Large Egrets in the water and…read morea large eagle. Trails are narrow but if you're looking for an easy stroll by the water, this is a good spot.